Kolkata to Tajpur & Shankarpur Cab Fare + Beach Guide

A one-way Kolkata to Tajpur cab covers roughly 170 km and takes about 4 to 4.5 hours, with indicative 2026 fares of around Rs 4,000-5,500 for a sedan and Rs 5,500-7,000 for an SUV. Shankarpur sits just 8-10 km further down the coast, so most travellers book a single round-trip cab and cover both quiet beaches together over a relaxed weekend.

If you have already done Digha and found it too crowded, Tajpur and Shankarpur are exactly what you are looking for: red-crab beaches, casuarina forests, fishing harbours and almost no hawker chaos. This guide breaks down the route, real distances, fare ranges by car type, and a practical itinerary so you can plan the trip like a local rather than guessing.

Where are Tajpur and Shankarpur?

Both are coastal villages in the Purba Medinipur district of West Bengal, on the same stretch of the Bay of Bengal as Digha and Mandarmani. Tajpur lies between Mandarmani and Shankarpur, known for its wide, clean beach and the famous “red crabs” that scuttle across the sand at dawn. Shankarpur is a working fishing harbour about 8 km from Tajpur and 14 km before Digha — quieter still, with rows of trawlers and fresh-catch markets that seafood lovers travel for.

Because the two beaches are so close, a Kolkata to Tajpur cab and a Kolkata to Shankarpur cab follow virtually the same route. You simply ask the driver to cover both, which is why almost everyone treats this as one combined trip.

Kolkata to Tajpur cab fare (indicative 2026 ranges)

Fares depend on car type, whether you take one-way or round trip, and how many days you keep the cab. The table below gives realistic round-trip ranges including driver allowance for a typical overnight stay. A round trip is usually better value than two one-way bookings for a beach holiday.

Fares are indicative and vary with season (peak around Durga Puja, winter holidays and long weekends), fuel rates, traffic and toll. Always confirm whether tolls, parking and driver night halt are included when you book.

For a family of four, a sedan is the sweet spot. If you are six or more, or carrying lots of luggage and want comfort on the 4-hour drive, the Innova-class SUV is worth the extra. You can compare live options and lock a fixed fare on our online cab booking page rather than haggling at the last minute.

The route: how to drive from Kolkata to Tajpur

The drive is almost entirely on good highway, which is why it stays comfortable despite the distance. The standard route is:

• Kolkata to Kolaghat via NH16 (the Mumbai-Kolkata highway / Kona Expressway) — about 75 km. Kolaghat is the popular breakfast and tea halt.
• Kolaghat to Nandakumar / Chandipur junction — continue on NH16, then take the Digha-bound road (NH116B / SH4).
• Towards Ramnagar, then the turn-off for Tajpur and Shankarpur — the last stretch is a calmer two-lane road through paddy fields and casuarina belts.

Total distance is roughly 165-175 km depending on your pickup point in Kolkata. Allow 4 to 4.5 hours with one tea break. Leaving by 6:30-7:00 am gets you to the beach before the midday heat and lets you check in by lunch.

Tip: clubbing Mandarmani or Digha

Tajpur is only 12 km from Mandarmani and about 14 km from Digha. If you have a third day, ask your driver to add a half-day Mandarmani drive-on-beach experience or a Digha science-centre and marine-aquarium stop. This works best as a flexible outstation cab from Kolkata booked per-day rather than point-to-point.

Sample 2-day / 1-night itinerary

What to do in Tajpur and Shankarpur

• Tajpur sunrise and red crabs — the wide, gently sloping beach is at its best at low tide early morning when thousands of tiny red crabs appear.
• Beach-side seafood — pomfret, prawns, crab and the day’s catch, grilled fresh. This is the main reason foodies make the trip.
• Shankarpur fishing harbour — one of Bengal’s larger fish landing centres; watch the trawlers come in and the morning auction.
• Casuarina forest walks — quiet, shaded trails behind the dunes, good for photos and a slow stroll.
• Boating and water sports — seasonal banana-boat and speedboat rides at Tajpur when the sea is calm.

Best time to visit

October to February is ideal — clear skies, pleasant 20-28 C days and the cleanest sea. Avoid the peak monsoon (June-September) when the sea is rough and beach access is limited. Long weekends and the winter holiday week are busiest, so book your cab and resort early. Even in season, these beaches stay far calmer than Digha.

Local travel tips

• Carry cash — card and UPI acceptance is patchy at small beach shacks and the fish market.
• Resorts are spread out; keeping the cab for the duration (a “days disposal” booking) is far more convenient than relying on local autos.
• The last few kilometres to some beach resorts are sandy — an SUV handles them better than a hatchback.
• Fix a clear plan with your driver on tolls, parking and night-halt charges before departure to avoid surprises.
• If you also want to start or end at the airport, our Kolkata airport taxi service can connect directly to an outstation cab so out-of-town visitors skip the city transfer hassle.

Want a fixed, all-inclusive price for the full beach trip instead of per-day guesswork? Tell us your dates and group size on our booking page and we will confirm the car, fare and driver in minutes. You can also browse curated Kolkata tour packages if you would like the resort bundled in.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Kolkata to Tajpur cab cost?

Indicative 2026 fares are around Rs 4,000-5,500 one-way for a sedan and Rs 5,500-7,000 for an SUV. A round trip with one night’s halt typically runs Rs 7,000-9,000 for a sedan and Rs 9,500-12,500 for an SUV, varying by season, traffic and tolls.

How far is Tajpur from Kolkata and how long does it take?

Tajpur is roughly 165-175 km from Kolkata via NH16 through Kolaghat and Nandakumar. The drive takes about 4 to 4.5 hours with one tea break.

Can the same cab cover both Tajpur and Shankarpur?

Yes. Shankarpur is only about 8 km from Tajpur on the same route, so a single round-trip booking comfortably covers both beaches, and you can add Mandarmani or Digha if you have an extra day.

What is the best time to visit Tajpur and Shankarpur?

October to February offers clear skies, pleasant weather and the calmest sea. Avoid the monsoon months of June to September when the sea is rough. Book early for long weekends and winter holidays.

Is it better to book one-way or round trip?

For a beach holiday a round-trip or days-disposal booking is usually better value and far more convenient, since resorts are spread out and local transport is limited. One-way makes sense only if you are staying many days or continuing elsewhere.